BENTON HARBOR — The Niles golf team won the battle, but lost the war Wednesday afternoon at Harbor Shores.

The Vikings won the final Big 16 Conference West Division Jamboree, but the championship went to Mattawan by a mere two points.

Niles shot 171 to edged the Wildcats by a stroke on Wednesday at the challenging Harbor Shores course. St. Joseph was third at 176, Lakeshore fourth at 178 and host Benton Harbor fifth at 229.

Mattawan finished with 36 points, two better than the Vikings’ 34. Lakeshore finished third with 28, St. Joseph fourth with 22 and Benton Harbor fifth with 10.

Niles’ Chris Noble won medalist honors with a two-over par 38. Brett Phillips and John Schrader both shot 44, while Sam Clark finished with a 45.

Dominic Wyland shot 60.

“It’s a great course, but I am glad it’s not my home course,” Niles coach Greg Gunder said. “It’s so spread out, plus you have the 10-degree difference in temperature. It’s a beautiful course and I enjoy playing and looking at beautiful courses, but I just wish it was easier.

“There are no flat spots on the greens. It’s just a tough course, that’s why I am very proud of Chris’ score.”

West Division Jamboree

At Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor

Par 36

Medalist

Chris Noble, Niles 38

Teams scores

Niles 171, Mattawan 172, St. Joseph 176, Lakeshore 178, Benton Harbor 229

Division standings

Mattawan 36, Niles 34, Lakeshore 28, St. Joseph 22, Benton Harbor 10

Individual results

Niles 171

Chris Noble 38, Brett Phillips 44, John Schrader 44, Sam Clark 45, Jared Langmeyer 49, Dominic Wyland 60